New Delhi:
Commonwealth Games organisers have earned Rs 100 crore more than the targeted revenue from television rights and it would be able to repay the loan of Rs 16,000 crore to the government, Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi said on Friday.
Kalmadi said by sorting out the timings of disciplines to suit the live coverage for different countries, the OC has assured an amount of Rs 300 crore, which is 100 crore more than the targetted Rs 200 crore.
"Ours is a revenue neutral budget. We have taken Rs 16,000 crore as loan from the government, all others are as grants. We are getting revenues from four sources - sponsorship, television rights, merchandising and tickets. We will be able to pay back the loan," Kalmadi said.
"The TV revenue has exceeded target of Rs 200 crore. By slotting the timing of different disciplines to suit different countries we have been able to earn Rs 300 crore. For example by giving Australian broadcasters the time for swimming and athletics to England," he said after signing an MoU with Hero Honda as CWG presenting partners for the national sector of Queen's Baton Relay.
Kalmadi, who abruptly left the function without facing media, expressed happiness at the response of private sector to become partners in successfully hosting the Delhi Games.